Last year was a special year for Mount Vernon no matter how you cut it.
The Lady Mountaineers not only got the opportunity to leave Missouri for Florida for a few days in December, but Mount Vernon also won the consolation side of the Pink and White Lady Classic before finishing the season with conference and district titles.
Mount Vernon was also the only team to play within 20 points of Class 3 state champion Strafford in last year’s playoffs.
Even with all of that success, winning 17 of their final 20 games, Mount Vernon returns four starters and seven total lettermen, meaning that 2017-18 could be just as fruitful.
“Last season was a special season,” said Mount Vernon head coach Dusty Killingsworth. “We had a great run at the end, but the preparation at the beginning was fun to see and the tournament in Florida was extremely memorable. The experience, championships and memories will be something to build on but that was last season and has no bearing on this one.
“Expectations will be high to go back to the playoffs, however the road is long and the schedule is tough. It’s a cliché, but it’s very true; we have to be hungry every day and look at one opponent at a time, we can’t get caught looking ahead.”
Helping to keep the team focused will be junior point guard Cameron Call.
Call is a three-year starter and reigning Big 8 Player of the Year after leading Mount Vernon in scoring (20 PPG) and assists (4 APG). The 5-foot-8 phenom has had a steady stream of college coaches in to see her workouts this fall, which includes Saint Louis and George Mason.
An opposing Big 8 coach referred to Call as the best player in the conference. But, she’s hardly a wolf pack of one.
Mount Vernon brings back fellow juniors Caitlin Hicks, Ashlyn McCanless and Camryn Eldridge.
Hicks was the team’s leading rebounder (9 RPG) in addition to her 15 PPG. McCanless, another guard, averaged just a shade under 10 PPG. Eldridge missed chunks of last season due to injury, but still averaged 10 PPG.
Mount Vernon was one of the highest-scoring teams in the area last year, scoring 70 or more eight times. Much of that offensive firepower is aided by their balance.
“It’s fun to see how mature this group is becoming,” said Killingsworth. “Their expectations for themselves are very high, that helps to push each other every day to become better. When we get into the long grind of the season and a player has a bad game, someone is there to replace scoring, rebounding or leadership.”
Juniors Lyndsey Hood, Lauren Vaughn and Maddy Mosley are all described as versatile players that could see minutes at multiple positions.
Freshmen Lacy Stokes and Ellie Johnston could also find minutes, using their defensive ability to make an immediate impact.
Killingsworth also expects a trio of juniors in Shelby Myers, Shae Shephard and Cydney Short, as well as sophomores Reagan Prescott, Bethany Williams and Kathryn Bushman to compete for varsity minutes.
In what is the final year of the classic Big 8, winning the conference is yet again a top priority. But, this team is also working for bigger goals. Going punch for punch with Kickapoo for a half in the Pink and White, as well as hanging with Strafford in Sectionals is further proof that this team has high-level potential.
Killingsworth just wants to make sure his team can manage the high expectations and reach the max of whatever potential they have.
“This being the last season for the old Big 8, it’s very important to us as a program and a school to do the very best we can; making history should never be overlooked,” said Killingsworth. “Being the defending champion is something they are very proud of and take pride in.
“They aren’t intimidated that everyone will bring their best game against us, it’s the expectation and it should motivate them. Staying together both on and off of the court will be vital, team chemistry can define championship seasons. It’s going to be a challenge that we all look forward too and it’s such a fun group of girls to be around, we can’t wait.”
Mount Vernon will open the 2017-18 season in the Carthage Tournament, Nov. 27-Dec. 2.
